Bowling alley



Jan. i6, 1945.

EE@ A w if jam. 16, 1945. J, JANES 2,367,400

BOWLING ALLEY Filed March 9, 1942 e Sheets-sheet 2 @L in Jam E6, 1945. 1 JANES 2,367,400

BOWLING ALLEY Filed March 9, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 16, 1945.

J. JANES BOWLING ALLEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 9, 1942 i .IZ

(Itforneg Jan. E6, 1945.. J. JANES v2,367,400

BOWLING ALLEY Filed March 9, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 nventor Jan., 16, 1945. J. JANES 2,367,400

BOWLING ALLEY Filed March 9, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Snventor Lkw 'V6 www s Qttorneg Patented Jan. 16, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT l OFFICE BOWLING ALLEYv Joseph Janes, Somerville, Mass.

Application March v9, 1942,;Seral No. 433,901

6 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in bowling alleys, and essen-tially to an improved type of pin resetting mechanism, and to the control of such mechanism.

The object of the invention is to provide ra pin setting mechanism possessing constancy in 'operation, one that may befcontrolled'by the operation of an electric motor,4 and one that may be initially activated through the operation of a coin slot mechanism.

The invention can best be seen and understood by reference to the drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a plan ofthe machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the position occupied by certain operative parts of the machine in one lphaseof its working.

Fig. 4 is a rearend elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan-of the parts shown in Fig. 3`

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same parts as shown in Fig. 3, but in elevation looked at from. the opposite sideof the machine.

Fig. 7 .is a side elevation of the same parts as shown in Fig. 6, but differently po-sitionedin accordance with another phase in the operation of the machine.

Fig. 8 is a plan essentially of the drum, later to be referred to, and of the flexible connections leading to and connecting with the drum.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section essentially of one of the pins and of that portion of a flexible connection connecting therewith showing the manner in which the exible connection is led down. to tensionally connect with the pin.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line l-I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of certain operative parts connected with the coin slot mechanism, to which special reference will hereinafter be made.

Fig. 12 is a plan of the same parts as shown in Fig. l1.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic plan of the electric circuit and switch connections employed in the control of the electric motor.

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of va modied structure showing the position occupied by certain operative parts of the machine i-n one phase of' its working.

Fig. 15 is a vertical cross section on the line |5-I5 of Fig. 14; and

Fig, 16 is a vertical cross `section on 4the line IB--IG of Fig. 15.

In the drawings AI represents anlelongated cabi.-

4net :within which is contained an alley floor `2. 55

Reference will -first be Lmadeto the mec'hanlsnr by which the pins, after being knocked down, are vreset bythe operation-of an electric motor il.

Forming a part of the 1cabinet and located' above the pit is a .chambered superstructure 18 kwhich contains much of `the mechanism A for I,ccntroll-ing the pins, including the motor 1. Located within this superstructure is -aposition'ing board 9. This plate lies 'horizontally disposed paralleli with the face Lof ythe .pit and spaced from Tit.

In the .operation of the 'mach-ine the pins :are lifted verticallyvto have end engagement 'wiithi the plate 9, by which `their relative Ipositions are secured preparatory to theird-ropping to vhave like relative upright or vertical positions resting upon the door `of the pit. The positioning fboard 9 is `secured in any suitable manner, though pref. eralo'ly by iixing its `rear end vto the rear end of' the cabinet, and its sides :to metal spaced plates |13, 13, which are slotted Ato rest upon a rod 1F51 .extending between .the sides of the cabinet andt secured `to it ,in :any suitable manner.

Mounted upon the plates i3, 13 and Aiiixedito them inanysuitable manner-is abed ton'W-hioh rests, .and .to .which is secured, a casing ill, which carries :the electric .motor nl. lLocated iin lthe superstructure d, beyond Ythe end Aof the positioning board I9. ris a. drum I`8 mounted-on `a shaft |18 'turns iin bearings 20 'borne by the plates .fl-.3., 1'3 and vlocated at the fore endsof theseplates. This drum is provided -on its -eX-tero'r surface with a plurality of-annular grooves 2-2v Whichcorrespond with the number of the pins and within winch run line connections or chains '2'4 which vconnect respectively `with the respective pins. The chains .24 at their outerendsare fastened at .points 25 Ito the drum, vafter `'being passed well around theldrum, so @that through the chai-ns `the pins may .be raised or lowered yas the -drum' is turned -in reverse directions. For making their connection with the 4pins the chains extend from :the drum over wheels .21 which are arranged lto aturnlin .raised vframes 28 asfshowninFig. 9. These trames vare fixed tothe top side of ithe positioning .board. These wheel carrying frames are so -lo` cated uponthe position-ing board that the chains, yextending from :the fdrum and 'passing over `the wheels borne lby :themywill extend downtoconnect with the pins by extension through openings I3|) .in :the positioning board. These openings are relatively small openings, admitting of a free passage of the chains but are much smaller than the ends of the pins, for when the pins are lifted their ends are brought to engage the positioning board around these openings which correspond in number with the number of pins and with the determinate arrangement of the pins when located on the oor of the pit. After passing through the openings in the positioning board the chains enter the pins.' Each pin, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 9, is provided with longitudinally aligned central borings 3|, 32, respectively. The boring 3| is located within the top end portion of the pin, and is an opening relatively short in extensio-n and of small diameter, but sufficiently sized to admit of a free entry and passage of the chain, The boring 32 extending from the boring 3| through the pin t0 the bottom end of the pin is a boring diametrically much larger than the boring 3|. Thus an annular shoulder 33 is left within the top end of the pin. The chain passed down through the respective borings is provided on its inner end within the pin with an end piece 34 having slidable fit within the boring 32, and between this end piece and the shoulder 33, within the boring 32, is located a coil spring 35. The length of the chains in their relation to the drum around which the chains are rendering on or off, and to which the ends of the chains are fixed, is such that when the drum is turned for lifting the pins into engagement with the positioning board the pins will be brought into fairly hard engagement with this board, the springs 35 within the pins being then somewhat compressed.

As will later be explained, mechanism is provided whereby any excessive strain brought upon the chains by the lifting of the pins into hard engagement with the positioning board is avoided by means supplemental to the compression of the springs within the pins, thereby avoiding any possibility of the chains breaking. The relative length of the chains is also such as will enable the pins to assume a knocked down position on the floor of the pit. As the pins are lowered by the unwinding of the drum to rest upon the floor of the pit the chains will render over the pulleys 21 only in amount suflicient to secure this end. The drum, however, will still continue to unwind, consequently considerable slack will be left in the chains between the drum and the wheels 21, these slack portions of the chains then falling down to rest upon the top of the positioning board. It is this slack in the chains which permits falling of the pins onto the floor of the pit from the vertical positions in which they are initially resting, for

when the pins drop further pull will be exerted upon the chains which takes up the slack in them.

As previously explained, the pins after they have been knocked down are lifted by the operation of the drum and connecting chains s0 that the top ends of the pins will be brought t0 bear against the positioning board for positively loment into the positioning board by the turning of the drum which turns normally only so farl or through such arc of movement, as to compress the springs within the pins which by their yielding will permit of and compensate for any ordinary undue motion of the drum, or over-run thereof that might otherwise break the chains if unyieldingly fixed to the pins.

Referring now to the control of the drum for winding or permitting unwinding of the chains for raising and lowering the pins. The drum is under the iniiuence of counteracting forces, one comprising a spring 40 one end of which is fastened to an arm 4|, fixed to the side of the cabinet, and the opposite end portion of the spring is wrapped around a grooved pulley 42 fixed to the shaft I9 of the drum. The tension of this spring tends to turn the drum in an unwinding direction for letting off the chains connecting with the pins, both for lowering the pins and rendering slack t0 the chains as previously explained. Opposing the forces thus exerted by the spring 40 are elements under the control of the electric motor for turning the drum in a winding direction for taking up the slack in the chains and lifting the pins; and, also, for maintaining the drum in any determinate turned position.

As previously explained, the electric motor is arranged upon the casing |1 and operates by mechanism (not shown) contained within the casing to turn a shaft 44 as the motor is operated. The motor operates at a relatively high speed, but the connections are such that the shaft 44 will turn at a relatively slow speed.

Connecting with the shaft 44 which extends through the casing, is a crank arm 45. Pivotally connected to the end of this arm is a lever 46. Secured to the end of the operating arm of this lever is a chain 41, the outer end portion of which is passed around the grooved pulley 42. Secured to the work arm of the lever 46 is a `coil spring 48 with end fixed to the base end of the crank arm 45. This spring acts to maintain the lever in normal contact with a stop 49 on the side of the crank arm. With the parts thus connected and arranged, as the crank arm rotates in the drection as indicated by the arrow on the end of the shaft 44, as shown in Fig. 7, the drum will either be turned in a direction to wind the flexible connections thereon as the crank arm turns in a direction away from the drum, or, reversely, the drum will be allowed to be turned by the spring 40 in direction for the unwinding of the flexible connections from it as the crank arm turns towards the drum.

The initial position of the operating parts preparatory to starting the machine is as shown in Fig. 7 where it will be see-n that the drum has been turned by the operation of the crank arm and associated parts, into a position where all slack in the chains has been taken up and the pins are in engagement with the positioning board. It will also be observed that when the drum is thus positioned the pull of the chain 41 on the lever 4S has operated to turn this lever away from the stop 49, which operation is permitted by the spring 48 which is tensioned during such operation. In consequence the drum is thus indirectly under the control of the spring 48 acting through the lever 46 and chain 41 in counteraction to the spring 40 also under tension. Consequently the pins, when in engagement with the positioning board, are tensionally under the control not only of the springs 35 within them, but alsothe spring 48. In consequence. if the -stantially complete revolution, 'ensuch as will lift pins borne by the chains become moreor less entangled so as not to rise properly against the positioning board, although the crank arm may continue to turn during the operation .of the mo..- tor. for lifting the pins, and although the springs within the pins may under such circumstances assist in avoiding breakagev of the chains, yet further relief is provided by the permitted turning of the lever 46 by the spring 48 which normally holds the lever in contact with the stop 49, but

which, when occasion requires, will allow thev lever 46 to turn away from the stopinto a position affording considerable relief in the draft in-` longer exert a winding inuence on the drum, u

and the drum has been brought under the control of the unwinding spring 43 and turned to where the pins have not only been lowered to rest upon the oor of the pit and slack rendered in the ilexible connections or chains; or the pins may be occupying a knocked-down position resting on the oor of the pit and the slack inthe chains has accordingly been taken up.

Thus the winding drum, through successive operations of the electric motor and turning of the shaft 44 and crank arm borne by it, will arrive at the stations referred to and maintain the drum in the position, or station, thenr existing when the motor is stopped. In certain phases of the operation of the machine, as will later be explained, the motor is so controlled as to turn the crank arm 45 through such phases of operation as will occasion lifting and positioning of the pins followed immediately by the lowering thereof to rest upon the floor of the pit. Reference, accord- .i

ingly, will now be made to the way in which operation of the electric motor is controlled.

The control of the motor depends upon the different phases of operation desired to be attained in the operation of the machine. The machine is a coin actuated machine, that is, the machine is rendered active for bowling upon the insertion of a coin. In its normal inactive state, before the coin is inserted, it is desired that the pins shall be occupying a position in engagement with the positioning board and not resting upon the floor of the pit, the parts electing the operation of the drum then occupying a position as shown in Fig. 7. Upon the insertion of a coin the resulting action is to operate the motor sufficiently to lower the pins to rest upon the floor of the pit, or, in other words, to move the crank arm 45 through a distance, or arc of movement, from its position as shown in Fig. '7 to its position as shown in Fig. 6. The pins now having been lowered to rest upon the floor of the pit the balls are projected, as will later be explained, and the pins the pins into engagement with the positioning board followed immediately by a lowering of the pins to rest upon the oor of the pit .preparatory to bowling the next frame. This continues until a determinate number of frames have been bowled, as forexample, ten frames, and then the' machine stops and cannot again be rendered a'c' tive until by insertion of a fresh coin, the pins. being left in engagement with the positioning board. These various phases of operation are obtained through control of the electric current which energizes the electric motor.

Fixed in any suitable manner to the casing l'lg which bears the electric motor, and lyingwithln the electric circuit which, when closed, actuates the motor, is a primary switch 50, and with it is associated a second switch 5|. The primary switch is controlled by a pivoted U-shaped member 52 which is under the control of a spring 53 that normally acts to turnk the member 52 and close the primary switch. The switchmember 52 is maintained in an inactive position, so

, breaking the circuit through it, by means of an interposed spring pressed bar 55 against which the switch member 52 has bearing. This bar is knocked down as in ordinary bowling. A strike may be obtained, or a spare, or only a portion of the pins knocked down. As soon as the one frame has been played, whether by a single ball making a strike, or by two balls making a spare, o r by three ballsv which may knock down all, or a portion, of the pins, thereupon the motor is controlled to move ythe crank arm through asub.

under the control of a magnet 56 which, when energized, withdraws the bar permitting the switch member52 to turn under the influence of the spring 53 thereby closing the circuit through the primary switch.

The electric current passing through the .primary switch passes also through the switch 5|' associated with it. This second switch isv one normally closed and is opened for breaking the circuit through it by a spring member 58 with which a cam 59 on the end of the shaft 44 has wiping engagement during the turning of this shaft. Accordingly as long as the cam 59 is in ene gagement with the switch member 58 the second switch will be open, and the circuit controlling the operation of the motor will be open even though the primary switch is closed. l

There is also provided in the electric circuit. which controls the motor a bypass by`which the electric circuit for controlling vthe moto-r will be complete when the primary switch is closed but the second switch open. This bypass has within it a normally open push button 60 'which is closed, so completing thecircuit through the byw pass, by one operating the machine.

Further provision is lmade whereby after a determinate number of turnings of the shaft 44: the U-shaped switch member, which controls the primary switch, will be turned against its re-y taining spring 53 and moved into a position where the spring pressed bar 55 will enter beneath it, thus breaking the circuit through the primary switch and maintaining it broken until the bar 55 has been released by again energizing the magnet 56. This operation is obtained by means of a pivoted star wheel or gear 6I which is turned periodically by a cam 62 on the shaft 44 as this shaft is turned. The star wheel 6I bears a cam 63 having associated with it a spring ringer 64. When the star wheel has been turned through a complete revolution by determinate number of turnings of the shaft 44 then the spring linger on the star wheel will engage a projection 65 on the under side of the U-shaped member, rais-A ing this member against its retaining spring 53- and allowing the spring pressed bar 55 to enter beneath the member, thus breaking the circuit through the primary switch as aforesaid.

j The electric circuit which energizes the mag'-` net 56 has within it a switch 68 which includes a spring element 69 occupying normally an open position, so leaving open the circuit controlling the magnet. The spring element 69 is moved momentarily into a closed position, thus completing the circuit which energizes the magnet for withdrawing the bar 55 for opening the primary switch, by the operation of a coin actuated mechanism 10. cludes a push bar 1| which may be pushed for- Ward upon the interposition of la proper coin. Pivotally connected to the push bar at the fore end thereof is a striker 12. Arranged forward of the striker in the path thereof is a pivoted upwardly inclined slide 13. On the top of this slide rests a pivoted guard 'I4 through which extends a pivoted bar 'l5 against which bears an arm 16 on the spring element 69. The guard 14 prevents the bar 'l5 being moved forward for closing thel switch 68 until the guard is raised. As the push bar is moved forward the striker l2 will ride up upon the slide I3 raising the guard 'l4 and releasing the bar l5. When the push bar has arrived at the limit of its forward movement it will pass the end of the slide and drop. As it drops it will strike the bar 'l5 displacing it, and, through the arm 1B, closing the switch 68 and thus completing the circuit for momentarily energizing the magnet 56, after which on dropping of the striker it will enter a slot 11 in the bar 15 enabling it to resume its normal position of retention by the guard 'I4 and breaking the circuit. On the withdrawal of the push bar 'll and striker the striker will pass beneath the pivoted slide 13.

The balls 3 which are projected along the alley for knocking down the pins are projected by means of a manually actuated plunger 80 of common type.

Associated with the alley is a runway 8| by which the balls are returned to assemble on the runway in front of the plunger. This runway has at its forward end a pivoted rocker extension or chute 82. This extension is so fashioned that when occupying an elevated position balls located upon it will be projected by gravity to run along the body of the runway to the fore end thereof and position themselves in front of the plunger. In its lowered position the rocker ertension will be turned to lie, at least in part, below the floor of the pit. The floor of the pit is slightly inclined so that theballs lying upon it will roll from the pit and deposit themselves on the rocker extension. Interposed between the rocker extension to the runway and the end of the lever 46 on the crank arm 45 is a connection 84 whereby the rocker extension, after the balls have been deposited upon it upon the completion of any frame, will be raised by the operation of the crank arm 45 as the arm turns to lower the pins from their engagement with the positioning board on to the floor of the pit, which is an operation initial to the bowling of any frame. In other words, at substantially the same time that the pins have been deposited upon the iioor of the pit the balls will have been This coin actuated mechanism inreturned in position for projection. As the crank into engagement with the positioning board. The crank arm 45, which constitutes one of the chief actuating mechanisms for turning the duim, will then be occupying a position as shown in Fig. 7. The electric circuit through the primary switch 5U will be open due to the interposition of the bar 55 beneath the end of the U-shaped switch member 52. The circuit through the second switch 52 will be closed by reason of the fact that the cam 59 on the shaft 44, which has wiping engagement with the spring member 58 for opening this switch, will have been moved into a position substantially as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and requiring substantially a half turn of the shaft 44 before engaging with the spring member 58 for opening the circuit through the second switch. The bypass passage through the second switch which is controlled by the push button 60 is then open. This bypass passage is the one by which the elec-tric circuit which operates the motor may be closed when the circuit through the primary switch is closed but the circuit through the second switch is open. The rocker extension 82 at the end of the runway will then be occupying a position Where the balls projected during the playing of the last frame will have rolled out of the pit to lie upon it.

Upon the insertion of a coin into the slot mechanism the push Ibar H is then moved forward closing the electric circuit which energizes the magnet 56 whereupon the bar 55 will be withdrawn from the U-shaped switch member v52 which accordingly is moved by the spring 53 controlling it to close the electric circuit through the primary switch 5U, the circuit through the second switch 5| then being closed. The circuit is then lcomplete for operating the motor with the eiect of turning the shaft 44 through substantially a one-half turn. During such movement the crank .arm 45 will be turned from the position as shown in Fig. 7 to the position as shown in Fig. 6 where the drum will have been turned suiciently to deposit the pins on the floor of the pit and impart slack to the chains. On completion of this movement the cam 59 will have been moved up into -a position to engage the spring member 58, as shown in the full lines of Fig. 3, opening the circuit through the second switch and stopping the motor. At the same time, as an incident to this operation, the rocker end extension 52 of the lunway will have been lifted by the operation of the crank arm 45, and the -balls thereon will be precipitated to run along the runway and collect in front of the ball projector in readiness for projection. i

After the bowling of the ensuing frame, irrespective of whether one, two, or three balls are projected, thereupon the operator, through the push button 69, will close the circuit through the bypass. The circuit through the second switch will then be open owing to the engagement of the cam 59 with the spring member 58 which opens this circuit. The closing of the bypass -then completes the circuit to the motor as the circuit through the primary switch still remains closed. Thereupon the motor will be operated as long as the bypass circuit is held closed by the push button. The use of the bypass circuit for operating the motor is only momentary, or such as will allow the cam 59 to turn away from the spring contact 58, whereupon the circuit through the second switch will be closed and the motor will continue to operate. The operation of the motor will continue until the crank arm 45 has been turned through substantially a. complete revolution oruntil the cam 59 on the shaft 44 is again brought into engagement with the spring member 58 which opens the circuit through the second switch, whereupon the motor will stop. During this movement the pinsA will have been brought into engagement with the positioning board and immediately dropped on to the floor of the pit in readiness for the bowling of the next frame. The balls will, also, have been returned and positioned to be acted upon by the plunger during the bowling of the next frame.

These operations last referred to continue until a determined number of frames have been bowled, for example, ten frames. Thereupon the star wheel or gear 6| which is turned by the cam 62 on the shaft 44 will have been turned to a position where the spring finger 64 thereon will have engaged the projection 65 on the U-shaped switch member 52 turning it; and thereby breaking the circuitl through the primary switch and yallowing the spring pressed bar 55 to again enter beneath the end of the U-shaped switch member for maintaining it in its disengaging position until the bar 55 has again been released by the operation of the magnet following the insertion of la fresh coin into the coin slot mechanism.

The pin setting mechanism and appertaining parts thus far referred to is perhaps more essentially adapted to a miniature type of bowling alley, although it might be used with a full size bowling alley.

In Figs. 14, and 16 there is shown a modified structure of pin setting mechanism which is especially adapted to a bowling alley of full size. It relates to a modied way of lifting and lowering the pins in which weights yare employed, to which vare attached the flexible connections which conneet with the pins, and in which gravity assists in the operation of these weights for imparting pull upon the flexible connections, in place of a spring controlled` cylinder heretofore employed. 85 represents these weights to which are connected the flexible connections 24 which connect with the pins after first passing over pulleys 8B arranged upon a common bar 81. The pulleys 86 lare arranged above thev weights which are drawn up and allowed to fall by gravity, the motion thereof thus obtained controlling the setting and positioning of the pins as previously explained. During their up and down movement the weights are arranged to slide upon guides 88 arranged in a suitable frame 89. The weights are borne by -a common support 90. Connecting with this support is a flexible connection, or chain 9 l ,which renders over pulleys 92 onthe'head of the frame 89, thence downwardly around a pulley 93 on the side of this frame and thence extends to connect with the outer end of the vcrank arm 45. As this arm is turned under the controlled action of the electric motor the weights 85 will be lifted and allowed to fall in proper sequence of operation. thus enabling the setting and positioning of the pins as previously explained.

Connecting also with the crank arm ibis a chain 94 which connects withthe rocker extension or chute 82, which,v as the crank :arm is turned, will lift and lower this chute whereby it will operate in substantially the manner heretofore described. v

I claim: L

1. In a machine for setting and 1re-setting pins upon the floor to the pit of a bowling alley, the combination comprising a set of pins, flexible connections secu-red, respectively, to the pins, a stationary positioning board arranged above the iloorofv the pitV through which the flexible connections are arranged to extend by way of openings therein, draft and release mechanism including an element movable in reverse directions whereby said mechanism will either exert pull upon said flexible -connections for lifting the pins into engagement with said positioning board or the pins when raised against the positioning board will be allowed to drop and rest upon the floor of the pit, a rotary shaft, an electric motor for rotating said shaft, means whereby as the shaft is rotated by the electric motor said element will be moved'in reverse directions or rest in a determinate moved position dependent upon the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, and mechanismfor controlling the operation of the electric motor whereby it will by the operation thereof, or cessation of operation, control theturned position of the rotary shaft and the amount ofits turning, said l motor controlling mechanism including an electric circuit, means for initially completing said circuit when the pins are inengagement with the positioning board whereby the motor will be operated for turning said shaft with a partial revolution commensurate with the dropping of the pins to a set positionof rest on the floor of the pit with afforded slack in the flexible connections, means for then breaking the circuit and stopping the motor, means for afterwards completing said circuitwhereby the motor will be operated to turn said shaft through a substantially complete cycle of rotation commensurate with the raising of the pins from off the iioor of the pit into engagement with the positioning board and positioning thereby followed by an immediate dropping of the pins to resume their set position of rest on the oor of the pit with afforded slack inthe exible connections when the circuit will again beA broken and the motor stopped by the operation of the second named means of said motor controlling mechanism.

2. In a machine for setting and re-setting pins upon the floor to the pit of a bowling alley, the combination comprising a set of pins, flexible connections secured, respectively, to the pins, a positioning` board arranged above the floor of theA pit 'through whichy the flexible connections arek arranged. to extend by way of openingsthereing, draft and release mechanism including lan element movable in reverse directions whereby said mechanism willy either exert pull upon said exible connections for lifting the pins into engagement with. said' positioning board or the pins when raised against the positioning board will be allowed to drop and rest upon the floorv of the pit, a rotary shaft, an electricmotor for rotating said shaft, means whereby as the shaft is rotated by the electric motor said element will be moved in reverse directions or rest in a determinate moved position dependent upon the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, and mechanism for controlling the operation. of the electric motor whereby it will by the operation thereof, or cessation of operation,-

control the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its'iturning, said motor controlling mechanism including an electric circuit, means forinitially completing said circuit when the pins are in engagement with the positioning boardv wherebyr the motor will be operating for turning said. shaft. with a partialrevolution commensurate with the dropping of the pins to a set position. of rest. on the floor of thepit with afforded slack in the flexible connections, means for then breaking the circuit and stopping the motor, means for afterwards completing said circuit whereby the motor will be operated to turn said shaft through a substantially complete cycle of rotation commensurate with the raising of the pins from off the floor of the pit into engagement with the positioning board and positioning thereby followed by an immediate dropping of the pins to resume their set position of rest on the floor of the pit with afforded slack in the flexible connections when the circuit will again be broken and the motor stopped by the operation of the second named means of said motor controlling mechanism, and means whereby the circuit will be broken and operation of the motor cease after the motor has been operated to turn the rotary shaft through a series of complete cycles as aforesaid.

3. In a machine for setting and re-setting pins upon the floor to the pit of a bowling alley, the combination comprising a set of pins, iiexible connections secured, respectively, to the pins, a stationary positioning board arranged above the floor of the pit through which the flexible connections are arranged to extend by way of openings therein, draft and release mechanism including an element movable in reverse directions whereby said mechanism will either exert pull upon the flexible connections for lifting the pins into engagement with the positioning board or.

the pins when raised against the positioning board will be allowed to drop and set upon the floor of the pit, a rotary shaft, an electric motor for rotating said shaft. means whereby as the shaft is rotated by the electric motor said element will be moved in reverse directions or rest in a determinate moved position dependent upon the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, and mechanism for controlling the operation of the electric motor whereby it will by the operation thereof, or cessation of operation, control the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, said motor controlling mechanism including an electricl circuit having in it a normally open primary switch, a normally closed secondary switch, and a bypass for closing the circuit when the primary switch is closed and the secondary switch is open, means for initially closing the primary switch and completing said circuit when the pins are in engagement with the positioning board whereby the motor will be operated for turning said shaft with a partial revolution commensurate with the dropping of the pins to a set position of rest on the floor of the pit with afforded slack in the 7" flexible connections, means operated by the rotary shaft for effecting the opening of the secondary switch and thereby breaking the circuit after any setting of the pins on the floor of the pit whereby the pins will continue to set thereon until displaced, means for completing the circuit through said bypass when said primary switch is closed and said secondary switch is open whereby a partial turning of said shaft through operation of the motor will effect the closure of said secondary switch when the completed circuit will operate said motor to turn said shaft through substantially a complete cycle of rotation commensurate with the raising of the pins from oif the oor of the pit into engagement with the positioning board and positioning therebyfollowed by an immediate dropping of the pins to resume their set position of rest on the floor o! the pit when said means operated by the rotary shaft for effecting the opening of the secondary switch will break the circuit and stop the motor.

4. In a machine for setting and re-settlng pins upon the floor to the pit of a bowling alley, the combination comprising a set of pins, flexible connections secured, respectively, to the pins, a stationary positioning board arranged above the floorvof the pit through which the exible connections are arranged to extend by way of openings therein, draft and release mechanism including an element movable in reverse directions whereby said mechanism will either exert pull upon the exible connections for lifting the pins into engagement with the positioning board or the pins when raised against the positioning board will be allowed to drop and set upon the floor of the pit, a rotary shaft, an electric motor for rotating said shaft, means whereby as the shaft is rotated by the electric motor said element will be moved in reverse directions or rest in a determinate moved position dependent upon the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, and mechanism for controlling the operation of the electric motor whereby it will by the operation thereof, or cessation of operation, control the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, said motor controlling mechanism including an electric circuit having in it a normally open primary switch, a normally closed secondary switch,

and a bypass for closing the circuit when they secondary switch is open, means for initially closing said primary switch and completing the circuit when the pins are in engagement with the positioning board and the secondary switch is closed whereby the then completed circuit will actuate the motor to turn the rotary shaft in an amount suicient to set the pins on the oor of the pit, means operated by the rotary shaft to then open the secondary switch whereby the circuit is broken and the pins left set on the floor of the pit, means whereby the circuit may be momentarily completed through the bypass for actuating the motor and thereby turning the rotary shaft in an amount sufficient to eifect the closure of the secondary switch when the completed circuit through the primary and secondary switches then closed will actuate the motor to turn the shaft through a substantially complete revolution whereby the pins will be raised from off the floor of the pit into engagement with the positioning board and immediately drop to become reset upon the floor of the pit, and means whereby the primary switch will be opened and the motor stopped after a determinate number of complete turnings of said rotary shaft.

5. In a machine for setting and re-setting pins upon the floor to the pit of a bowling alley, the combination comprising a set of pins, flexible connections secured, respectively, to the pins, a stationary positioning board arranged above the door of the pit through which the flexible connections are arranged to extend by way of openings therein, draft and release mechanism including an element movable in reverse directions whereby said mechanism will either exert pull upon the iiexible connections for lifting the pins into engagement with the positioning board or the pins when raised against the positioning board will be allowed to drop and set upon the floor of the pit, a rotary shaft, an electric motor for rotating said shaft, means whereby as the shaft is rotated by the electric motor said element will be moved in reverse directions or rest in a determinate moved position dependent upon the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, mechanism for controlling the operation of the electric motor whereby it will by the operation thereof, or cessation of operation, control the turned position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, said motor controlling mechanism including an electric circuit having in it a normally open primary switch, a normally closed secondary switch, and a bypass for closing the circuit when the secondary switch is open, means for initially closing said primary switch when the pins are in engagement with the positioning board and the secondary switch is closed whereby the then completed circuit will actuate the motor to turn the rotary shaft in an amount sufficient to set the pins on the oor of the pit, means operated by the rotary shaft to then open the secondary switch wherebythe circuit is broken and the pins left set on the floor of the pit, means whereby the circuit may be momentarily completed through the bypass for actuating the motor and thereby turning the rotary shaft in an amount suficient to effect the closure of the secondary switch when the completed circuit through the primary and secondary switches then closedwill actuate the motor to turn the shaft through a substantially complete revolution whereby the pins will be raised from off the oor of the pit into engagement with the positioning board and immediately drop to become reset upon the floor of the pit, a runway for the return of balls after projection to the pit of the alley, a movable extension to the runway adaptable to be lowered to lie in part below the floor of the pit whereby balls within the pit will roll and become deposited upon said extension, said movable extension being adaptable also to be raised whereby balls deposited thereon as aforesaid will gravitate therefrom onto the body of the runway, means for pivotally supporting said extension, and means interposed between said rotary shaft and said extension whereby the extension will be raised when by the turning of the rotary shaft the pins are dropped and set upon the floor of the pit, and the extension will be lowered when by the turning of the rotary shaft the pins are lifted into engagement with the positioning board, and means whereby the primary switch will be opened and the motor stopped after a determinate number of complete turnings of said rotary shaft.

6. In a machine for setting and re-setting pins upon the floor to the pit of a bowling alley, the combination comprising a set of pins, flexible connections secured, respectively, to the pins, a stationary positioningboard arranged above the floor of the pit through which the exible connections are arranged to extend by way of openings therein, draft and release mechanism including an element movable in reverse directions whereby said mechanism will either exert pull upon said flexible connections for lifting the pins into engagement with said positioning board or the pins when raised against the positioning board will be allowed to drop and rest upon the floor of the pit, a rotary shaft, an electric motor for rotating said shaft, means whereby as the shaft is rotated by the electric motor said element will 'be moved in reverse directions or rest in a determinate moved position dependent upon the turnedv position of the rotary shaft and the amount of its turning, and mechanism for oontrolling the operation of the electric motor whereby it Will by the operation thereof;I or cessation of operation, control the turned position of the rotary-shaft and the amount of its turning, said motor controlling mechanism including an electric circuit, means for initially completing said circuit when the pins are i'n engagement, with the positioning board whereby the motor will be operated for turning said shaft with a partial revolution commensurate with the dropping of the pins to a set position of rest on the floor of the pit with afforded slack in the flexible connections, means for then breaking the circuit and stopping the motor, means for afterwards completing said circuit whereby the motor will be operated to turn said shaft through a substantially complete cycle of rotation commensurate with the raising of the pins from 01T the floor of the pit into engagement with the positioningA board and positioning thereby followed by an immediate dropping of the pins to resume their lset position of rest on the oor of the pit with v afforded slack in the flexible connections wlzcn the circuit will again be broken and the motor stopped by the operation of the second named means of said motor controlling mechanism, a runway for the return of balls after projection to the pit of the alley, a movable extension to the runway adaptable to be raised and lowered,

said extension when lowered lying in part below the floor of the pit whereby balls within the pit will roll and become deposited upon said extension whenv raised occupying an inclined position whereby balls deposited thereon as aforesaid will gravitate therefrom onto the body of the runway and be returned, and means interposed between said rotary shaft and said extension whereby the extension will be raised when by the turning of the rotary shaft the pins are dropped-and set upon the oor of the pit and the extension will be lowered when by the turning of the rotary shaft the pins are lifted into engagement with the positioning board.

JOSEPH JANES. 

